Society

The Moroccan Sociologist Fatema Mernissi

The Prophet and Freedom of the Individual

Moroccan sociologist and writer Fatema Mernissi will celebrate her 70th birthday in October. Martina Sabra went to Rabat and paid a visit to the "grande dame" of the Moroccan democracy movement and of dialogue between East and West
Mesut Özil and Germany

A Football Hero in a National Identity Farce

As playmaker at Real Madrid, and key attack asset on the German national squad, Mesut Özil has matured into a true soccer superstar. And now the unassuming player finds himself at the centre of Germany's ongoing national identity debate. By Lewis Gropp
By Lewis Gropp
Religion in Azerbaijan

Between Tolerance and Repression

The majority of Azerbaijan's population is Shiite - alongside dozens of religious minorities. Even though the country prides itself on its reputation for tolerance, the threat of repression is never far away for practising Muslims. By Klaus Heymach
Synod of Bishops for the Middle East

Arab Christians for Church Reforms

A Vatican Synod of Bishops on the Middle East is currently taking place in Rome. It aims to draw international attention to the difficult situation of Christians in the region. By Mona Naggar
Tidiane N'Diaye's "The Veiled Genocide"

Selective Theses on the Arab Slave Trade

Tidiane N'Diaye accuses Arabs of not acknowledging their responsibility for the slave trade. He demands an explanation, yet sheds very little new light on the situation himself. A review by Moritz Behrendt
By Moritz Behrendt
The Kashmir Conflict

A Clash of Nationalisms and Religions

Violence in Muslim-dominated Kashmir and anti-India protests has recently been flaring up again. The decades-old conflict is based on two factors: claims of nationalism and of religion, says Yoginder Sikand
Interview with Mohamed El-Moctar

Wars over Symbols

The face veil stirs up many controversies – also within the Islamic world. For Mohamed El-Moctar, however, it's a practice that has nothing much to do with Islam. Stephanie Doetzer met him in Doha
Religious Television Channels the Middle East

Prime Time for Islamic Television

Between 60 and 80 Islamic satellite television broadcasters have been launched over the last decade. Their aim is to proclaim the "true" Islam. But which one is the right one? Mona Sarkis reports
Interreligious "Eid Table" in Belgrade

One God, Many Names

Muslims in the Belgrade invited their Jewish and Christian neighbours to celebrate Eid ul-Fitr and break the fast with them at the end of Ramadan. The various religions do live quite happily side by side most of the time. By Danja Antonovic
Obituary for Mohammed Arkoun

A Pioneer of Modern Critical Islam Studies

The Algerian philosopher and reformist thinker Mohammed Arkoun, a man who crossed cultural borders and paved the way for new readings of Islam, died in Paris at the age of 82 on the evening of 14 September 2010. A key figure of con-temporary Islamic thought has left the stage. An obituary by Ursula Günther
Rabbis for the Rights of Palestinians

A Common Struggle for East Jerusalem

Tension is growing in the Arab quarters of East Jerusalem. The city administration plans the further demolition of Palestinian houses. The human rights organisation ‘Rabbis for Human Rights’ has demonstrated against the demolition. By Daniel Pelz
"The Brotherhood": a Controversial Egyptian Television Series

A Weapon in a Propaganda War or Artistically Valuable Drama?

Few Arabic television series have led to such controversy as the Egyptian series "The Brotherhood." It deals with the history of the Muslim Brotherhood and tells the story of the life of its founder, Hassan al-Banna. By Nelly Youssef